Vaginal and vulvar cuts usually heal within a few days, but longer cuts can take a longer amount of time.

Question: While having intercourse, my vaginal wall was ripped leaving a long cut. After two weeks the cut seemed like it was healed but after having intercourse again the cut reopen. What can I do so the cut does not reopen and/or how long should I wait till I am able to have intercourse without having this problem?

I’m sorry to hear that you had a sizable cut in your vaginal wall from intercourse.

It’s pretty uncommon for a woman to have such a long cut from intercourse, but it can happen and I hope you checked in with a nurse or doctor about it.

First, Check With A Doctor

Sometimes healthcare providers will prescribe certain antibiotic or other topical creams or ointments to reduce the risk of infection during the healing process.

Vaginal and vulvar cuts usually heal within a few days, but longer cuts can take a longer amount of time. I would encourage you to check in with a nurse or doctor who can evaluate your vagina and see how well it has healed before you resume sexual activity.

Start Again Slowly

When you’re ready to start sexual activity again, you may want to start slow such as by fingering yourself or using a dildo during masturbation.

That will give you the opportunity to get back into vaginal penetration while still maintaining control over how it feels.

When you’re comfortable, try vaginal intercourse again with your partner only after sharing any anxieties or concerns you may have, reminding your partner too that you may want to go slow at first and be gentle.

Using a water-based lubricant might be wise, too, to help reduce friction.

Next Question: My Boyfriend Likes It When I Have Sex With Other Men. I Don’t.

My boyfriend likes it if I also have sex with other men. After I come home, he likes to smell me, lick me and have sex with me. We have a problem because I stopped loving him as a result. I would like to please him, but I would really like to have sex just with him. How can I get used to having sex with these other men but without emotions?

Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH is a professor in the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion (School of Public Health), and a research fellow at The Kinsey Institute. She has been writing the Kinsey Confidential Q&A since 2003. Additionally, Dr. Herbenick is an AASECT-certified sexuality educator and current president (2016-present) of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. She is the author of several books about sex and love.